Journal file photoNegotiations with the Jersey City police officers' union have collapsed, the city said last night, and 82 officers will be laid off.

Come Jan. 1, Jersey City is expecting to have 82 fewer cops, city officials announced last night.

The city has a large budget deficit and has been negotiating with the police officers' union on concessions the city says would save those jobs.

The police union has maintained that it gave concessions back in May when it agreed to an arbitrator's decision on their new contract.

The plan also calls for seven civilian workers in the police department to be laid off and the demotion of two captains, four lieutenants, and six sergeants.

The city said its proposal to the Police Officers Benevolent Association (POBA) included a pay lag that it says would save the city approximately $3.4 million. The proposal also included a one-time give back of the officers’ $1,300 annual uniform allowance.

The city said that would have saved an additional $1.2 million.

“The first of January is only a month away and with it comes a new budget year, new tax bills, and a 2% legislative hard cap on property taxes,” Mayor Jerramiah Healy said. “The POBA was asking that we re-open their contract, which is a process that could take several months. Unfortunately, we do not have the luxury of time. We are hoping that we can still come to an agreement with the union before the layoffs take effect.”

The city said it had found other cuts and revenue sources that would save another $2.4 million and -- with the union concessions -- would have avoided police department layoffs altogether.